Fall 2012 TV: 5 new shows to try, 5 faves to look forward to

With the fall season comes a heap of new shows and the return of favorites. It's always a challenge getting into new shows since they often get cancelled just at the moment we get hooked (see: Ringer from last season). Sarah Michelle Gellar is fantastic and the end of Ringer's one-and-done season left many unanswered questions. Hopefully this curse can be avoided this season. Here are five series that look watch-worthy from the jump:

Elementary, CBS, September 27: This is a modern take on Sherlock Holmes with Johnny Lee Miller as the private detective and Lucy Liu as Watson. These two will make an interesting pair and another plus is Aidan Quinn as a NYPD captain.

666 Park Avenue, ABC, September 30: Stars Dave Annable and Rachael Taylor as a couple who become managers of an apartment building owned by Terry O’Quinn and Vanessa Williams. They start to experience supernatural events in the building and it complicates their lives. A spooky show and John Locke make an appealing combination.

Nashville, ABC, October 10: Nashville is generating good buzz and while I am not a fan of Hayden Panettiere, I do love Connie Britton. Any show she has been on I have liked and was glad when she was picked up for a new show after ending her run on ‘American Horror Story’. This nighttime soap follows Britton as a country singer that is fighting for the limelight against the younger Panettiere.

The Mindy Project, Fox, September 25: Mindy Kaling makes the move from NBC to headline her own show on Fox this season. She plays an OB/GYN who tries to deal with her professional and personal life. Kaling is hilarious as Kelly on ‘The Office’ and I hope that a show of her own will be just as funny.

The Following, Fox, premiere date TBA: The cast, with Kevin Bacon, and the premise sounds good. Bacon is a retired FBI agent who is trying to stop a murderer who goes on a killing spree with the help of followers he found through the internet.

And now here are five returning shows that I have been looking forward to their return the most. A warning that this will contain spoilers so if you have not seen the past season of these shows and care to know what happens, do not read on.

Sons of Anarchy, FX, September 11: I got hooked on this show last year and then after the season was over I watched all of the episodes on Netflix. The second season was my favorite, but the fourth season knocked it out of the park. It literally brought something new to the table i.e. Jax now the head of the club. Charlie Hunnam and Katey Sagal are brilliant on this show and it boggles the mind that they have not won an Emmy for their work. It will be interesting to see what the fall out will be from all of the damage Clay has caused and to see what new trouble will be brought to SAMCRO. Also shaking things up are the addition of Jimmy Smits and Harrold Perrineau. By the look of this trailer , we are in for a wild ride.

Once Upon a Time, ABC, September 30: I watched this whole season in a week during the summer and instantly fell in love with it. The best episode by far was number 7, ‘A Heart is a Lonely Hunter’ with the sheriff/huntsman at the center of the story. I was a little skeptical with the fact that the curse was broken so soon, but it might just make things more interesting now that people remember who they are. Questions I would like to see answered are the identity of Dr. Whale, where Rumpelstiltskin’s son is and if Pinocchio turned back into a human.

Castle, ABC, September 24: It only took four seasons for the most anticipated moment of Castle and Beckett hooking up, but where do they go from there? This will be the big question heading into season five and if the show can keep its same tone with them as a couple. I think that Nathan Fillion and Stana Katic can make it work and avoid the ‘Moonlighting curse’.

Vampire Diaries, CW, October 11: Now that Elena is a vampire, things are about to get even more complicated. I was a little disappointed in this twist, since the girl can’t catch a break, but the fact that she can now remember all the times she has been made to forget by Damon, then that will make it even more interesting.

Dancing with the Stars, ABC, September 24: This season marks the first time they have done an All-Stars special and the competition looks fierce. I would like to see Tony and Melissa plus Kirstie and Maks make it to the finals.

By TV geek Erin

About the author

Erin is an avid tv watcher; Castle, The Office, Fringe, Once Upon a Time, Vampire Diaries, Cougar Town and Game of Thrones among her favorites. She also likes to go to the movies, write, try new places to eat at and travel to new destinations. Follow her on Twitter @erninlow.

Erin, we are in all sorts of agreement! I'm pumped to see Terry O'Quinn back in action. It's been nice to see him in Hawaii Five-0 and Falling Skies this year, but he needs some substance to his roles to really shine.

Fun fact! Joel McHale (The Soup, Community) is guest-starring on this season of Sons with Perrineau and Smits. Jeff Winger as a con-man - perfect. Season 5 will be epic.

Once Upon a Time really grew on me - much darker than I expected a "disney" show to be. I'm pumped for the characters they plan on bringing in - the Pinocchio reveal was one of my favourite moments from any show this past season.

My most anticipated show has to be Revolution - another JJ Abrams project, directed by Jon Favreau, starring Giancarlo Esposito. Hopefully they get more mileage out of the plot than Abrams did with Alcatraz.

Erin, we are in all sorts of agreement! I'm pumped to see Terry O'Quinn back in action. It's been nice to see him in Hawaii Five-0 and Falling Skies this year, but he needs some substance to his roles to really shine.

Fun fact! Joel McHale (The Soup, Community) is guest-starring on this season of Sons with Perrineau and Smits. Jeff Winger as a con-man - perfect. Season 5 will be epic.

Once Upon a Time really grew on me - much darker than I expected a "disney" show to be. I'm pumped for the characters they plan on bringing in - the Pinocchio reveal was one of my favourite moments from any show this past season.

My most anticipated show has to be Revolution - another JJ Abrams project, directed by Jon Favreau, starring Giancarlo Esposito. Hopefully they get more mileage out of the plot than Abrams did with Alcatraz.

Terry O'Quinn was great on Hawaii Five O and I am glad he is getting his own show. I forgot about Joel McHale (and Ashley Tisdale as a call girl) on SOA. He even tweeted a picture of himself with Katey Sagal. I am excited for all of their guest stars this season.